Man sentenced to life after Palm Bay home invasion conviction

Crime dropped more than 4 percent in Brevard County in 2017, with northern and central cities experiencing sizable drops, according to statistics released by the Florida Department of Law Enforcement. GINNY BEAGAN/FLORIDA TODAY
Wochit

Steven Smith, 34, could face a life sentence after being convicted of home invasion and battery of an elderly person.(Photo: BCSO)

Steven Smith was sentenced to life in prison Tuesday after being convicted in the Jan. 2 home invasion of a brother and sister.

Judge Stephen Koons sentenced Smith, 34, to life in prison for burglary, 30 years for the home invasion and 10 years for the remaining charges, including tampering with evidence, battery and abuse of an elderly or disabled person.

Smith was arrested in January after he donned a mask and kicked in the door of a brother and sister in Palm Bay and stole cash and credit cards. When the brother, a blind man in his 70s, attempted to defend himself, Smith repeatedly shoved him to the ground.

Smith was additionally charged with two counts of battery on a person over the age of 65 because of the victims' ages.

Police reports showed Smith used the stolen credit cards at a nearby store only minutes after leaving the scene of the robbery and assault.

"This outcome ensures that Mr. Smith will spend the rest of his life in prison and ends his repeated and long standing victimization of our community," Assistant State Attorney Justin Keen said in a prepared statement. "I can't think of any circumstance where Smith's freedom wouldn't present a threat to society and this sentence reflects that."

Smith was sentenced as a prison releasee reoffender and as a habitual felony offender, according to the State Attorney's Office. A history of convictions of crimes including burglary, grand theft and dealing in stolen property led to the augmented sentence.

Contact Vazquez at tvazquez@floridatoday.com, 321-917-7491 or on Twitter @tyler_vazquez.